It was a good return for Harlow, after the glory of lifting the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup back in May. Almost the full squad from last season has returned, with a few new faces amongst them.

A short trip up to Bishops Stortford to play Swifts was in order for our first pre-season game. It was a good showing from the squad, with some valuable minutes in the tank for everybody.

The first chance of the game fell for Jack Zielinski from a Tom Jelliman free kick, which he headed over the bar. Harlow continued to push, as James Folkes headed over from a corner.

Down the other end, Swifts’ number 7 managed to get a shot away in the bottom left, which James Pellin got down to well. Jordan Burnett was the first player to go into the book, after a slide tackle that was deemed a foul, the winger looked incredibly lively on his first game since signing.

The Hawks continued to seek their first goal, as Ishaq Ameen flicked it into the path of Jack Zielinski. Sliding, his connecting wasn’t the cleanest and the goalkeeper was equal to it.

Harvey Livings, who immediately impressed from left back managed to get a shot away from a Syrus Gordon cutback, which the goalkeeper saved comfortably. Seconds later, he shot from distance, glancing over.

Jordan Burnett had the next chance of the game, skipping past a defender but shooting just wide with power.

After a great run, Korede Da Silva was fouled, giving the Hawks a free kick in shooting distance. Left-back Harvey Livings stepped up and unleashed a belter into the top-right corner, a terrific free kick to give Harlow a first-half lead.

Danny Chapman made changes to almost the entire team at half time, to allow everybody to get game time. Familiar faces Ruben Santos, Toby Church, Jimmy Nottage and Steven Wade were introduced as well as new faces Cav Clarke, Kevin Manuel, Jack Haley and Jesse Ansen.

The first major chance of the second half came when Jack Zielinski headed into the crossbar after Jimmy Nottage picked him out well. Ishaq Ameen then did exceptionally well to beat 2 defenders before his shot was saved at the near post.

The lively Jack Haley, who is also an up and coming snooker player, managed a shot on goal, that was tame in the end before Bishops Stortford Swifts went down the other end and saw their shot saved by Kevin Manuel, which he got down well to.

Jack Haley later laid off Toby Church who struck it with menace, but over the bar. A chance soon came for Ishaq to strike one, which the Swifts goalkeeper parried into the path of Cav Clarke. The striker began as he means to go on with a clinical finish into the bottom left corner, doubling the lead for Harlow.

Very little happened in the very late stages of the game, with a few Harlow set pieces coming to nothing, and us emerging 0-2 winners at the end.

The performance overall was a dominant one in which everybody was solid; apart from the previous squad performing well, many of the new faces performed excellently too.

Jordan Burnett was fantastic on the right-wing for the 45 minutes he played, creating lots of chances and proving that he’s a rapid player, capable of taking players on.

Harvey Livings played on the left in the first half and was not only solid but scored a wonder-goal free kick from 25 yards, also creating numerous chances too in his 45 minutes.

Jack Haley particularly shone in the second half, proving that he too is rapid, and a terrific dribbler, who caused problems for the Swifts defence.

Ansen and Manuel were both good and fit in well, with Ansen winning a lot of 50-50s from defence and Manuel’s handling standing out, also demonstrating a good save when called upon.

Cav Clarke’s debut was good, he pressed high and worked well alongside both Jack Zielinski and Ishaq Ameen, which was topped off with a good finish too.

We thank you for your support, and look forward to seeing you this saturday against Buckhurst Hill, kicking off at 1pm.